Esten’s portrayal of the love-torn and often brooding singer/guitar player has made him a fan favorite on the show, won him appearance spots on the “Grand Ole Opry” and, on Monday, landed him a gig singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” at the Music City Bowl at LP Field.

The game pitted Georgia Tech against Ole Miss, but before the teams took the field, Esten and his guitar player Colin Linden found their spot on the 50 yard line and did a practice run as thousands of fans tailgated in the parking lot.

“This is just a dream come true and a real honor to be singing the national anthem in this town that has become home to me,” Esten said. “I just wanted to do the best I can.”

Before “Nashville,” Esten was best known for his role on the improv comedy show “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” but his relationship with music goes back even further. The Pennsylvania native got his start in show business playing Buddy Holly in “Buddy” in London’s West End and has sung since he was a teenager. However, the idea of publicly singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” for the first time at a football game left him nervous enough that he had to bring a friend along for support.

“It’s a very big deal, that’s why I brought my good buddy Colin here who is an unbelievable guitarist,” Esten said of Linden, who also plays guitar on “Nashville.” “He’s playing the Dobro here today. We’re going to have a good time.”

When Esten learned this reporter wasn’t a football fan, he jokingly retracted his story about his lack of experience singing “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

“Yes,” he quipped. “I (play the anthem) at all the football games. I do them all.”

“Nashville” airs at 9 p.m. Wednesdays on ABC. The show will air its next new episode on Jan. 15.